Page 51 of Wild Card

I’m sure I could have found the set for half the price at a department store, but hearing the joy in her voice makes the astronomical markup in pricing worth it.

The money I banked playing professional hockey is keeping Dry Dock and the bed-and-breakfast afloat at the moment, but my parents provided us a good life from those two businesses. It’s just taking a little time for Bear and me to learn the management side of things.

My nostrils flare as her feet dangle, kicking with excitement.

Fuck.

Being this close to her pussy while intoxicated was a bad idea.

My hands land on her thighs as I push myself to my full height. She grins up at me as I lean over her, and my heart thumps wildly in response.

She’s fucking beautiful.

Not to mention how cute she is with the baby-blue earmuffs, blue-and-gray scarf, and matching gloves on. It makes for a tantalizing image, when all she’s got on outside of that and the socks I just put her in is Bear’s plain white T-shirt.

“I’m glad you like it.” I smirk, pulling my phone from my pocket. “Can I take a picture to show Bear? I don’t want him to feel left out.”

She licks her lips, and her pupils expand. “Yeah, please do. That’s very thoughtful.”

I chuckle, brushing a finger over her soft cheek. “Goddamn, you’re beautiful. Lean back a little and smile.”

She complies, and I snap several pictures before turning the phone around to show her my favorite one.

A naughty little gasp escapes her puffy lips as she smacks me in the gut. “You could have warned me that my nipples are showing.”

I snort. “No way, pretty girl. That’s my second favorite part of that picture.”

“What’s the first?”

I don’t hesitate to tell her the truth.

“Your smile.” I shrug, shoving my phone into my back pocket. “Seeing you happy might be my new favorite thing.”

“I’m sure you’ve melted the panties right off many women with your unfailing charm.” She raises an eyebrow.

“Luckily, you’re not wearing any.” I wink to distract her. That feels like a dangerous topic. We need to find something new to focus on. “Do you know how to ice skate?”

Her head shakes. “No, I grew up in North Carolina.”

“I happen to be an excellent teacher.” I wiggle my eyebrows. “Maybe I could sweet-talk you into coming with me sometime?”

“I’ve always been a little clumsy.” She tucks her hair behind her ear. “Did you really play professional hockey? Did I hear that right?”

“Yup, and don’t stress. I promise to keep you safe if you agree to come with me.”

A huge part of me relishes the fact she doesn’t know who I am. Over the years, I passed on a lot of potential relationships because I wanted to ensure Bear and I would end up in a pack together. It sounds arrogant, but I needed to know anyone I was with would treat him equally.

“I’ll try,” she says, smiling up at me from under her lashes. “But I might be terrible.”

“That’s half the fun.” I grin and run the backs of my fingers over her cheek. “I really am happy for you and Bear. He deserves something good in his life.”

She squints as she studies my face. “You know, he cares about you a lot…”

“Of course,” I say, suddenly feeling like a dick. “Me too.”

Being a twin is hard.

I love Bear like the other half of myself, and he’s the one person I’ve been compared to most in my life.

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